Datin Seri Zizie Izette Abdul Samad has submitted a representation to the Attorney General’s Chambers seeking the withdrawal of charges accusing her of conspiring with her late husband, Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, to receive RM2.8 million in bribes linked to a Felcra Berhad investment deal.
Her lawyer, Datuk Seri K. Kumaraendran, said the application was sent to the AGC at the end of last month. Zizie Izette was due to enter her defence yesterday on three conspiracy charges, but the Sessions Court proceedings were adjourned and will now be mentioned again on January 16.
The alleged bribes were said to have been paid in exchange for Bung Moktar, who was then Felcra Berhad’s non-executive chairman, securing approval for the agency to invest RM150 million in unit trust products managed by Public Mutual Berhad.
Bung Moktar had begun his defence in September last year on similar charges of receiving RM2.8 million in bribes, but the Kinabatangan MP died on December 5, shortly after retaining his Lamag seat in the 17th Sabah state election.
Under the first charge, Zizie Izette is accused of conspiring with Bung Moktar to receive RM2.2 million in cash from Public Mutual investment agent Madhi Abdul Hamid. The money was allegedly paid as a reward for arranging approval from the then Second Finance Minister for Felcra to proceed with the RM150 million investment.
The second charge alleges she conspired to receive RM262,500 from the same agent through a Public Islamic Treasures Growth Fund account registered in her name. The third charge involves an alleged RM337,500 payment from another Public Mutual agent, Norhaili Ahmad Mokhtar, through a Public Ittikal Sequel Fund account also registered to her.
All three alleged transactions were said to have taken place at the Public Bank branch in Taman Melawati on June 12 and 19, 2015.
Zizie Izette is charged under Section 28(1)(c) of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2009, which carries a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine of at least five times the amount of the bribe or RM10,000, whichever is higher, if convicted.
